PayerPrice
Data Platform
Who We Serve
Use Cases
More
Check Local Rates

CPT 32554 Fee Schedule

Last Verified: October 2026

Healthcare providers use this code to document and receive reimbursement for visits that address moderate-level medical decision-making, often including multiple diagnoses or prescription management.

Drainage Of Fluid Around Lungs, A Procedure To Drain Fluid Surrounding The Lungs And Reinflate The Lungs With A Needle Or Tube. Imaging Guidance May Be Used To Better View The Area.
Key FactDetail
Service Type

Surgery

Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System

Common Place of Service

21 - Inpatient Hospital

23 - Emergency Room

Common Modifiers

RT - Right side of body

LT - Left side of body

Complexity LevelModerate
Medicare Fee Schedule$260.53 national non-facility rate (2026) · View Medicare rates for 32554
Medicaid Fee Schedule$203.855 median of the 8 states in the free preview · View Medicaid rates for 32554

National average reimbursement for CPT 32554 by major payers:

bcbs

$402.24

uhc

$450.72

aetna

$421.77

cigna

$505.63

Compare published rates across providers.

Choose a payer to see a sample of rates for CPT 32554.

CPT 32554
5 of 25 sample ratesHigher to lower in this preview
  1. Surgicare Of St Andrews Ltd

    FLAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/CenterNPI 1598729329Tax ID 61-1276561

    $4,215.00Published rate
  2. Scottsdale Endoscopy Asc LLC

    AZAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/CenterNPI 1275292229Tax ID 87-3952617

    $934.00Published rate
  3. Natick Surgery Center, LLC

    Natick Surgery Center LLC

    MAAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/CenterNPI 1629603162Tax ID 83-2569075

    $735.00Published rate
  4. Northwest Atlanta Vascular Care LLC

    GAAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/CenterNPI 1770004772Tax ID 45-3857694

    $376.00Published rate
  5. Laser Surgery Holding Company, Ltd

    Laser Surgery Holding Company Lt

    AZAmbulatory Surgical Clinic/CenterNPI 1205303930Tax ID 55-0882748

    $297.00Published rate

National sample. Rates vary by location, specialty, and contract.

Get a free rate benchmark for your specialty.

Choose your state and specialty to build a report from payer-published rates.

Use market rates to prepare your payer proposal.

Rate Benchmarking

Compare your rates with similar providers.

Select a published rate, define comparable providers, and see where that rate falls in your market.

See a sample rate comparison

Payer Contract Negotiation

Draft a fee schedule renegotiation letter.

Use your fee schedule and market benchmarks to set target rates and draft a letter for your payer.

See a sample payer proposal

CPT 32554 vs. Other Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System Codes

The CPT 32554 code is part of the Surgery services used for Surgical Procedures on the Respiratory System. It represents a moderate-complexity encounter and is one of several codes that vary based on time spent, level of medical decision-making, and documentation requirements.

The CPT 32554 code involves more provider time and moderate medical decision-making, unlike lower-level codes that require less time and simpler assessments. It typically includes multiple diagnoses, medication management, or test interpretation, leading to higher reimbursement and more detailed documentation requirements.

CodeComplexityDescription
32554-CPTModerateDrainage Of Fluid Around Lungs, A Procedure To Drain Fluid Surrounding The Lungs And Reinflate The Lungs With A Needle Or Tube. Imaging Guidance May Be Used To Better View The Area.
32555-CPTModerateDrainage Of Fluid Around Lungs, A Procedure To Drain Fluid Surrounding The Lungs And Reinflate The Lungs With A Needle Or Tube. Imaging Guidance May Be Used To Better View The Area.
32556-CPTModerateDrain Fluid From Cavity, Surgery To Drain Fluid That Has Accumulated Around The Lung By Inserting A Thin Tube (Catheter) Through The Skin. The Procedure May Include Using An X-Ray Machine To Better View The Area.
32557-CPTModerateDrain Fluid From Cavity, Surgery To Drain Fluid That Has Accumulated Around The Lung By Inserting A Thin Tube (Catheter) Through The Skin. The Procedure May Include Using An X-Ray Machine To Better View The Area.

What is a fee schedule?

A fee schedule is a list of fixed prices that healthcare providers charge for specific services, including CPT 32554. These prices vary depending on payer type (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance), geographic location, and provider contracts.

Understanding the 32554 fee schedule helps patients estimate costs and providers optimize billing for accurate reimbursements.

Factors that affect fee schedules


Medicare & Medicaid Rates

Government-set reimbursement amounts


Private Insurance Rates

Negotiated rates between providers and insurance companies


Geographic Location

Costs may be higher in urban areas.


Provider Type

Hospital providers may have different rates than private practice.

FREE SAMPLE MARKET COMPARISON

Let's review your payer contracts side-by-side with the market.

Bring your top codes (like CPT 32554) and we'll show you how you compare in 15 minutes or less.